Soa “The Hulk” Palelei takes the World IKBF Super Heavyweight MMA Title, Rob Powdrill thrills the crowd at Perth’s Bragging Rights Event.

K-Oz Entertainment held it’s inaugural Bragging Rights event before an almost capacity crowd at the WA Italian Club in Northbridge on Saturday 21st January.

The exciting night of mixed martial arts action included two title fights, appearances from the lovely SXY MMA girls and also some well known faces in the crowd such as Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne, Junior Talipeau and Xavier “X-man” Lucas to name but a few.

Completely focused, the Hulk enters the cage

Headlining the event was a clash for the IKBF Super Heavyweight MMA title between local hero Soa “The Hulk” Palelei and Henry “Sentoryu” Miller (fighting out of Japan).

Both men touched gloves as the starting bell sounded and the Hulk was the first to throw with an overhand left, Miller retaliated with a quick combination, but the Hulk remained patient and composed shooting in for a double leg takedown. As both men hit the canvas Soa held the dominant position striking Miller’s head to get the mount. The Hulk then reigned down on his opponent with four hard right elbows, punches and hammerfists followed by a barrage of left right combinations forcing referee Dean Woodhams to call an end to the fight at 1:24 of the very first round and declare Soa “The Hulk” Palelei the World IKBF Super Heavy Weight Champion.

Back in the changerooms the Hulk admitted he knew he had the fight once he got the takedown. “Miller has a dangerous overhand right” said the Hulk “I knew it was safest for me to get it to the ground, so I used the jabs to feel him out until I got the takedown”.

When asked what’s next he replied with “Just to keep fighting, obviously getting back into

Pleased with his victory, the Hulk climbs the cage

the UFC is a goal, we have secured contracts overseas, but I really just want to keep fighting”.

Soa’s manager Peter Nicholas revealed that Soa’s team will be upping the ante and will continue the plight to get Soa back into the UFC. He also stated that they will put an emphasis on Soa’s striking level by utilising some of the best sparring partners in the world.

Soa asked us to thank Southern Cross Fit, Rapid Loss and Everything MMA on his behalf.

The co-main event of the night was also a bid for a title, this time in the middleweight division, between local fighter Steven Kennedy (Fitness n Fight Centre) and US fighter Dave Mazany (Wand Fight Team).

Both fighters touched gloves as a sign of respect and then got right down to business, Kennedy started out with a left kick to the body of Mazany followed closely by a knee. Mazany pressed Kennedy backwards towards the cage and Kennedy shot in for a takedown but Mazany held his ground. Both men clinched and Kennedy once again forced Mazany’s back to the cage and this time picked up Mazany for a double leg takedown. Kennedy in top position worked towards gaining the mount, Mazany trying to scramble back to the feet the whole time and eventually making it only to be picked up and slammed to the canvas once again as the crowd roared for their local boy.

Dave Mazany heads out for his battle with Steven Kennedy

Mazany made submission attempts as Kennedy smothered him. Kennedy gained side control and as Mazany tried to escape Kennedy took back control with hooks in and tried softening up with blows for the rear naked choke. Mazany stayed composed shaking Kennedy off his back, gaining top position himself. Both men scrambled back to their feet and Kennedy once again took Mazany down. Kennedy continued to smother throwing the odd strike here and there. Mazany caught Kennedy with an upkick, but Kennedy unaffected continued to try and gain the dominant position. In the final 10 seconds Mazany locked on a triangle forcing Kennedy to tap with only one second left of the round, making Mazany the World IKBF Middleweight champion.

Another exciting bout took place between crowd favourite Rob Powdrill and US fighter Ash “The Archer” Bowman.

The crowd roared as Powdrill made his way to the cage and the well known Muay Thai fighter did not disappoint his large fan base putting on a great display of his mixed martial arts skills.

As all the fighters did on the night, these two showed their respect touching gloves at the start of the bout, Powdrill wasted no time however

Powdrill warms up for the fight

opening with a punishing leg kick, then securing a takedown and unloading with elbows to the head of his opponent. Both men scrambled back to their feet and Powdrill threw an overhand right and pressed forward pushing Bowman’s back to the cage where he unloaded his Muay Thai skills using knees and combinations until referee Dean Woodhams called an end to the bout at 1:01 of the very first round.

Speaking to us after the fight Powdrill talked about facing a wrestler “I was a little scared facing the American” admitted Powdrill “but it felt amazing winning against a wrestler. I trained hard in my Muay Thai but also worked on my takedown defense, I’m a slippery sucker” he laughed.

Official Results for the event were as follows:

Soa Palelei def. Henry Miller via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:24 (securing the IKBF Super Heavyweight title)
Dave Mazany def. Steven Kennedy via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:59 (securing the IKBF Middleweight title)
Rob Powdrill def. Ash Bowman via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:01
Jack Johns def. Paul Newman via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:48 (amateur bout)
Shantaram Maharaj def. Paul Tozer via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 3:30
Briggs Foreman def. Luke Dowsett via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Steve Lloyd def. Steve Wong via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)